Is age a taboo topic?

[sparkindarkness]

Becoming more pertinent with the American elections where one of the candidates is chronologically gifted I have seen some republicans lash back with what we might term the ageism card (just as complaining that Sarah Palin is bugnuts insane is apparently some kind of sexiam, but I digress). And (unlike Sarah Palin) some (but by no means all) of the criticisms of McCain are based entirely on his age - especially since his untimely (or, let's face it, at his age rather TIMELY) demise would make Palin the President of the USA. Ok, a quick break there while you all recover from the utter horror of that thought.

But is it unfair to treat age in this way? I mean (in the UK at least) we have anti-age discrimination laws. It is unfair, unacceptable and it often is based on simple prejudice rather than reality. The aged can be vibrant, alive, active, intelligent and incisive. It is wrong and unfair to assume that someone is flawed, incapable or otherwise less than a younger person

But all discrimination laws have a "reasonable requirement" exception. If you can PROVE (for whatever reason) that you need to exclude whoever then you can get round the law (it's just going to be HELLA difficult to ever prove that a woman/black man/homosexual cannot do a job). Because the law recognise that there may, sometimes, be a case where practicality prevents a principle applying (which is why I've always said it's perfectly acceptable to fire someone whose religion makes them incapable of doing the job they've been hired for) and ageism is most certainly one of them - especially when it comes to a job that is guaranteed for 4 YEARS if not 8.

Now, I may be prejudiced on this. I have my own deep seated fear of aging. ANyone reading this journal knows I freak every birthday. I don't deal with aging, not at all. Part of that comes from the genes, I think. As my mother has said - our family is cursed with longevity. The men live into their 80s and the women are usually well into their 90s.

Sounds like an odd "curse" doesn't it? Well it is a curse. They EXIST into their 80s/90s. Their bodies and minds start giving out in their early 70s. They're usually dead years before they stop breathing. Some are in constant, crippling physical pain that drugs can't touch (or the side effects were as bad as any disease). Some were so crippled they had no amenity left and lived in a prison of eternal boredom. And some, like Nana, lost their minds and lived in a world of constant terror and uncertainty. I wouldn't wish on a dog the kind of existance most of my elderly relatives had to endure before the finally succumbed to whatever slow, agonising, disgusting, dignity stealing disease that finally claims them. I more than suspect at least 2 of my relatives have been helped on their way by loved ones who can't take it any more and, frankly, I have nothing but praise for those who had the courage to end such torture. I've already made it clear to Beloved that before I get to that stage I'd rather jump out a window or be smothered in my pillows because I REFUSE to live like that.

So maybe I'm biased. But I look at a 72 year old man and think not only "there's a good chance of him dying before he finishes that term" but also of the DETERIORATION that is a natural (and cruel) part of the aging process. Physically and mentally he risks declining - even if he just gets weaker and tires more easily, he is at a time of life where sudden ailment and sudden decline are very possible. Worse, if his mind goes you will NOT notice right away. Because you don't. We didn't. But confusion and bemusement and false memories can and will strike long before anyone notices that judgement is seriously impaired.

So no, I don't think age is something you can brush under the rug here. You can't swipe down commentors with cries of ageism, it's a legitimate concern and one that is very very worrying

Comments

[fadethecat.livejournal.com]

Given the way McCain was acting in that interview when discussing Spain, I don't think it's so much a legitimate concern for the future as a legitimate concern right now. Regardless of my opinion of his politics and policies, it's a bad thing to have a president who's having trouble following a simple conversation and remembering what continent the country he's discussing exists in.

[pbrim.livejournal.com]

It is a very worrying concern. Another is the fact that, while we are bludgeoned over the head with his former POW status, everyone keeps ignoring the fact that the kind of deprivation and torture he faced in his (relative) youth statistically leads to increased decline and a shorter lifespan.

[elrohana.livejournal.com]

I'm old enough to remember Spitting Image taking the piss out of Ronald Reagan for being forgetful and confused AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS PRESIDENCY. Years later it transpires he has Alzheimers. Oh rly? Year later, huh? He didn't have the beginnings of it while he was still in office, now did he? Surely not...oh and he was only 68 when he LEFT office.

Yeah, I think there are certain jobs where age should be considered as a factor. My mum is 71, fit as a fiddle, mentally as well as physically (hell, she goes line dancing 3 nights a week and has a social schedule of committees and the like that makes my working day look easy) but she's the first to tell you that's she ain't as on the ball as she used to be. She wouldn't want too much responsibility at her age. So why does McCain?

[makarov.livejournal.com]

chronologically gifted MY ASS, MCCAIN'S OLDER THAN DAMN DIRT

[klgaffney.livejournal.com]

people like to point out that his mother is alive and perky in her 90's.

but his father was dead at 70. hell, yes, it's a valid concern.

[and the previous commentor's mention of reagan is a good point--i remember the reagan years, too.]

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

Reagan had the beginnings of it before he was elected the first time.

She wouldn't want too much responsibility at her age. So why does McCain?

Because he genuinely feels that he is the best person for the job.

And that, given that the last 8 years and the 1988-1992 years weren't enough for him, should disqualify him as "inescapably demented" immediately.

[buddykat.livejournal.com]

People also like to ignore just how much being president has aged the past several presidents. Look at the four most recent presidents - they have all aged significantly more then you would have expected under normal circumstances for that same period of time.

I also saw an article (not that I can recall *where* now) that detailed the six of ten symptoms of Alzheimer's that McCain has exhibited. And McCain doesn't have to die for Palin to take office; he just has to be incapacitated.

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

And PTSD.

[home-of-usher.livejournal.com]

*raises hand* Regan Years... What they said.

[jrho.livejournal.com]

It's not just McCain's age. It's his age coupled with his known health issues (skin cancer 3 different times plus past war traumas) that make me more nervous. Yes there are old people who are more than capable of such things. Both my grandmothers are in their 80s, and they still have all their mental capacities.

I won't be voting for McCain, not due to his age or previous/future health issues, but due to his politics.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I like the way they're trying to cover that up "No, he knew they were talking about Spain... he just doesn't want to commit himself to meet the leader of the world's 7th largest economy and one of the European powers - because we'd rather alienate a long term ally than admit the boss man is a senile old coot."

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

ANd you know what's even scarrier?

Even if he does go off the deep end of bugnuts insanity he'll STILL be a more appealing choice than his VP, no matter how much he dribbles.

All in all it's a level of badness that just isn't ideal for the position he's interviewing for

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It is frightening and not something we can deny. A world leader with his level of power and responsibility cannot afford to ahve "senior moments" especially in a job that ages you as fast as that one.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I liked my euphemism :) Even if your's is depressing accurate

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

To be fair, it's a dellusion that so many world leaders have suffered from - all with so little reason to back their conclusion

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

His mother is alive and perky in her 90s - which makes her an extreme statistical anomoly. And I bet she still falls asleep during the day :P

It is definitely a concern - it's worrying that you will have a president who will at very least tire easily and who most certainly can't rule out "senior moments."

Is it too much to ask for a candidate who has a good chance of living out his term?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I cna look at Blair to see the same thing. The man aged 30 years in officer at least. You can seem them deteriorate.

If McCain gets in office and goes through the same process he's going to look like the Undead. Well, more like the undead.

Well repeatedly he is showing every sign of having "senior moments" the only reason it wasn't so noticeable with McCain was because Bush was one loooooong senior moment.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Are we scared yet?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Exactly - I mean, a 3 time cancer survivor who was badly traumatised and is now 72? This is not a recipe for long life and stability.

Even 80 year olds in good health notice deterioration - lack of energy if nothing else - and that can't be a good thing in a President.

Oh there are a shed load of other reasons not to vote for him, most certainly, but I think this one is valid too

[jerril]

His mother is a woman. Women, in the USA, still live longer than men and after a certain point they tend to be in slightly better condition than men of the same age (if nothing else because they didn't go off to war when young, and didn't play rough contact sports when young, so they have less old health problems catching up with them).